By Rick Reeno
The first half of 2010 is shaping up to be a big year for HBO. BoxingScene.com had a chance to catch up with Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports, to discuss a number of potential fights that are being negotiated for his network.
One of more popular news items over the last few days is the American debut of Amir Khan, which may take place in the month of April. Khan recently signed a promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions. Golden Boy's CEO Richard Schaefer would like to make a fight for Khan in the month of April. Greenburg is really excited about Khan's debut in a showcase fight on HBO. He says 22-year-old British fighter has the potential to become a superstar.
"We're excited about Amir Khan. You know, before Richard even got his hands on him, we were looking at Amir Khan and developing him into what we think could be a potential superstar in the sport. He is someone that we really have our eyes on," Greenburg said to BoxingScene.com.
Several opponents have been mentioned for Khan. One name that was mentioned by Khan's trainer Freddie Roach is former champion Juan Manuel Marquez.
"That's pretty exciting. If that fight can be made, that's one hell of a debut on HBO," Greenburg said.
The middleweight triangle between Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez is still ongoing. There is talk of Pavlik facing Martinez, and Williams having a rematch with Martinez - but the public wants to see Pavlik and Williams settle their unfinished business. For nearly two years, fans have been waiting for Pavlik-Williams. The promoters, Top Rank and Dan Goossen, could not get it done in 2008. They finally reached a deal in 2009, but Pavlik's battle with a serious staph infection on his hand forced the fight to be postponed, twice - and then the fighters went in their separate directions.
Greenburg doesn't deny the network's preference for Pavlik-Williams. They understand the public demand is there, and obviously he wants the fight to happen. But if it doesn't, he views Martinez as a solid opponent for either guy.
"I think we were there but for a variety of reasons that fight didn't happen and it's certainly the fight that most people would like to see made. But given the kind of performance that Martinez put up against Williams, he would be an able opponent for either of those two. I think if we could clear up this anger between the two sides, then Pavlik-Williams would be a nice fight," Greenburg said.
Another possible brawl in the works is a heavyweight collision between Chris Arreola and Tomasz Adamek [provided he beats Jason Estrada] for April 24. Greenburg expects a lot of fireworks if that fight gets finalized. He was advised by Pat English [attorney for Adamek's promoter Main Events] that a lot of progress is being made in their negotiations with Arreola's promoter Dan Goossen.
"One hell of a fight and we're eyeballing that one too. We are all over it. We are going to come out swinging this year and these are all really good fights. They are making a lot of progress. I asked Pat English today about how the talks with Goossen were going and they are going well," Greenburg said.
To clear up some confusion, we discussed the HBO date of April 17. Several possible fights have been mentioned for that date, and several promoters believe they will get the date. Everything from a Lucian Bute fight, to a Kelly Pavlik fight and even Amir Khan American debut has been mentioned for April 17. The Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view was also mentioned for that date. Schaefer advised BoxingScene on Monday that Hopkins-Jones will likely move to April 3.
"We're going to try to develop something to keep everyone satisfied but we really need to figure out [the situation], like if Pavlik fights Williams then one of those April dates, the 10th or the 17th will be theirs. They are all in the mix. Right now we are all right in the middle of juggling and trying to figure out who will get the ball in their lap," Greenburg said.
